DOCX vs DOC
How do DOCX and DOCcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
.docx
Full guide →Office Open XML Document
DOCX is the default format for Microsoft Word documents. It's an XML-based format that replaced the older .doc format, offering better compression, easier recovery, and broader compatibility.
.doc
Full guide →Microsoft Word Document (Legacy)
DOC is the legacy binary format used by Microsoft Word before 2007. While still widely encountered, it has been superseded by DOCX. Many older documents and templates still use this format.
| Specification | DOCX | DOC |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Office Open XML Document | Microsoft Word Document (Legacy) |
| Extension | .docx | .doc |
| MIME type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document | application/msword |
| Category | Document | Document |
| Developer | Microsoft | Microsoft |
| Year introduced | 2007 | 1983 |
DOCX advantages
- Standard format for word processing
- Excellent formatting capabilities
- Smaller files than legacy .doc format
- Compatible with Google Docs, LibreOffice, and more
DOCX limitations
- Formatting may vary between applications
- Complex internal XML structure
- Requires office software to edit properly
- Version differences can cause compatibility issues
DOC advantages
- Universal recognition
- Compatible with older Word versions
- Still supported by all major office suites
- Extensive installed base of existing documents
DOC limitations
- Larger file sizes than DOCX
- Binary format — harder to recover if corrupted
- Limited to older feature set
- Being phased out in favor of DOCX
Which should you use?
DOCX and DOC serve different purposes. DOCX is ideal for business reports and memos, while DOC excels at opening legacy documents.
Best uses for DOCX
Best uses for DOC
Convert between DOCX and DOC
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.